Collages.net recently had the chance to speak with Judy Dawson of Visuality in Oklahoma City, OK about her studio.

Judy Dawson and Chris Heldenbrand

When did you start shooting?
I started photographing in high school for our yearbook and special events. I then took photography courses in college and later attended several workshops at the Texas School of Photography. After a successful stint as a free-lance editorial photographer, I began apprenticing at weddings with local photographers. I gradually gained the courage to go out on my own and start Visuality. Ten years later - here we are!

How would you describe your style?
Our style mixes photojournalistic and traditional styles. We also shoot some “guided” candid shots, but our images have a natural look. We think of it as enhancing the candid look, rather than posing. Some of the couples at first feel a bit awkward, but when they see the results, they love it!

Do you have any influences?
Bambi Cantrell has had a huge influence on me in terms of contemporary photographers. I have been in contact with her several times and she gave me some pointers that have helped my studio.

What do you love shooting?
Weddings are definitely my forte, but I also love shooting bridal portraits. Chris shoots most of the engagement sessions and then we collaborate at the weddings. I love shooting weddings because they are always fun and festive. Capturing everyone on a happy day when everyone looks great is such a joy. I also love knowing that I am capturing a historical moment for a family.

What is the best part of the wedding day?
Besides eating the cake? I would say getting photos of the bride and groom during or before the ceremony is my favorite part of the day. We’ve found that about 25% of our couples want to see each other before hand, which gives us more time and flexibility to shoot their portraits.

What gear do you use?
We use all Canon gear – mainly the 5D and 40Ds.

Do you have a favorite lens?
I really like my 85mm 1.2.

In terms of your style and what you shoot, what inspires you?
I’m inspired by the romance of the day. For me, it’s inspirational to see a couple in love and see them interact with each other.

Do you use Facebook or other social networking sites?
Right now, I use Facebook for personal use and have a business page, but we’re so busy catching up with weddings that we haven’t had the time to really put too much effort into it.

Do you have a favorite venue or location that you love to shoot?
I like gardens and architecturally interesting buildings. There is a place in Guthrie, OK called the Dominion House, which is an architecturally stunning location. The Masonic Temple and Cole’s Garden are also great locations where I love to shoot. I like churches, too, but Oklahoma is a relatively new state, so we don’t have the old historically beautiful churches like you do on the east coast.

What was the best business decision you’ve made this year?
Probably meeting with vendors and establishing relationships with them. We’ve gotten a lot of leads in the past just from networking with vendors. It’s a great idea to keep in touch with vendors as well as other photographers, too, in case they ever get overbooked.

Do you ever run promotions or specials for your clients?
We try to run a special about every month or so. Every promotion is different – some are a little more extravagant than other months. I think one of our best promotions was when we offered a gallery wrap with every booking during a certain period of time.

When people leave your studio, what impression do you want them to leave with?
That we care about them and that we’ll do a great job for them. Also, that we’ll give them great customer service.

What is your favorite Collages.net product or service and why?
Of course the books, but I also love the event cards, which is also something that our clients love. We’ll be meeting with a potential client and they just love the idea – they think it’s really cool. Also, the Premium leather albums are really nice and online posting is great, too!

What was your strangest wedding moment?
We once shot a wedding towards the end of October for a couple who asked their guests to come in costume. All the guests showed up in costumes and bride and groom were dressed as Godzilla and the Bride of Frankenstein! They walked down the aisle to a funeral dirge, which was very strange!

You’ve probably heard about Collages.net’s Event Cards, but why should you use them? Sure, they’re a good way to provide clients their event log-in information, but they are so much more. They are a powerful tool that can benefit your studio sales and promote your studio brand. Here are three key steps to using event cards to benefit your studio:

Step One: Pre-Post the Event – Pre-posting your events allows event guest to “log-in” to the event before the event site has been uploaded. They can leave their e-mail address to be contacted once the images are ready for viewing. To pre-post the event log in to your Administrative Area and click Upload Event. Fill in the Event Username, Heading, Title/Subheading, Client E-mails, and Event Type. Make sure to check the box next to Pre-post this event. Choose Save. You now have a pre-posted event! When you are ready to upload your images, simply log back in to your Administrative Area, click on the Event Manager tab, then on the Pre-posting status link.

Step Two: Order Event Cards – Open collagesColor + ROES and click on the Sizes button. Choose Non-Color Corrected Products from the Catalogs folder and click on Sizes again. Navigate to Endura Prints, then Event Cards, and choose your preferred event card template. Drag and drop your desired image into the template and type in your studio name, username, and password for your event. Remember to use the username you created when you pre-posted the event. The password will be your photographer code, unless you added an alternate password suffix in the event set-up process. When you are happy with the order, click Add to Order and then Review Order. Complete your order by navigating through the collagesColor + ROES shopping cart. Event cards take 2-3 business days to produce plus shipping, so make sure you place your order in advance.

Step Three: Shoot the Event and Hand Out Event Cards – On the day of the event, make sure to leave event cards on every table in the room. Personally hand event cards to guests at the event and let them know that they can view the images from the event by following the steps outlined on the event card. For weddings, make sure you hand event cards to the bride and groom and to each member of the wedding party. It is important to make personal contact with event guests as much as possible. Event Cards are also great to hand to seniors to pass out to their family and friends at school.

Once you have the images ready for viewing. Every person who logged into the site while the event was pre-posted will receive an e-mail notifying them that the site is ready for viewing. The end result is more online sales and increased brand awareness for your studio. Use this three-step process for your next wedding or event for increased reprint sales and traffic to the event site.

This week’s websites of the week come from missphom photography and Candice Brumm Photography.

Oubon Phommavong of missphom photography shot Matt and Kala’s wedding at the Hammock Dunes Resort in Palm Coast, FL. Oubon recalls, “The ceremony had to be moved inside because of the rain, but I think we managed to make it memorable for the bride and groom.  Matt and Kala’s families were so beautiful, and everyone was such a pleasure to work with.”

Candice Brumm of Candice Brumm Photography shot Kelli’s graduation session portraits in Lino Lakes and Blaine, MN. Candice recalls, “Kelli is supermodel material! We had so much fun shooting her graduation session. She’s such a natural at posing, and her eyes are incredible! It was hard not to get a great shot from her.”

To view the complete events, visit our websites of the week page.

In a recent blog post, we outlined several marketing tips that any studio can put into practice to generate more business around Halloween. Now that Thanksgiving is just around the corner, here are a few tips that will help you market your studio this Thanksgiving.

• Send every client you booked this year a thank you card. Send an unexpected note to your past clients, thanking them for their business and wishing them a joyous day with family and friends. Use your studio’s logo or a portrait of your family and print them on Collages.net’s Press Printed Cards available through collagesColor + ROES. Offer your clients a special referring bonus in the card.
• Photograph local turkey day activities. Most towns have their own turkey trot, turkey bowl, or other activities on Thanksgiving to raise money for local charities. Photograph the event and hand out event cards on the day so people can easily see your studio and purchase their photos online. Remember to customize your own View an Event Portal to drive traffic to your studio. Then, donate a portion of your print proceeds to the charity.

• Emphasize the meaning of family. Send your clients a marketing e-mail or Facebook message from your family on Thanksgiving day. Thank them for their past business and share with them the importance and value of professional family portraits. Who wouldn’t be moved to book a portrait session after receiving a compelling message on one of the most family-oriented days of the year?
• Photograph your local Thanksgiving parade. Does your town host an annual Thanksgiving day parade? If so, photograph the event and contact your local newspaper and submit your photographs of the parade and crowd to be published in the next day’s newspaper.
• Assist at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Have your studio (or your family on behalf of your studio) help serve a meal in a soup kitchen or local homeless shelter. Not only is this a good thing to do. It’s good PR for your studio. Blog about it, Facebook about it, tweet about it, and don’t forget to write a press release about it and submit it to your local paper.

In addition to the above suggestions, delivering your clients’ albums before Thanksgiving is a great way to ensure your studio will be talked about around the turkey table. Submit your album order by the date listed below and choose FedEx 2Day shipping. You will receive the album by November 24th, so you can deliver it by November 25th.

Premium Leather Albums - Wednesday, November 4th
Genuine Leather Albums - Wednesday, November 11th
Brilliant Albums - Wednesday, November 11th

Photo Credit: Small Wonders Photography

‘Tis the season to make your holiday deadlines! In order for products to ship by Friday, December 18th, orders must be placed before 12PM EST on the following days:

This week’s websites of the week come from Krisha Martzall Photography and JPix Photography.

Krisha Martzall of Krisha Martzall Photography in Lancaster, PA shot Matt and Lindsey’s wedding in the backyard of Lindsey’s parents’ 155-year-old home. Krisha recalls, “Matt’s favorite band drove from North Carolina to Pennsylvania to provide entertainment to a crowd of almost 200 guests. Their first dance could not be stopped by periods of rain and even the occasional clap of thunder. It was dancing in the rain at its finest.”

Jermaine Turner of JPix Photography shot Vikeya’s senior portraits in his studio and in downtown Washington D.C. Jermaine recalls, “I had a great time shooting Vikeya’s senior session. She is a free-spirited young woman who is willing to try anything and loves to laugh. Her parents keep her involved in a variety of activities, including working as a volunteer firefighter and EMS responder. She’s such a joyful young woman with a bright future ahead of her.”

To view the complete events, visit our websites of the week page.

Collages.net recently had the chance to speak with Otto Rascon of Otto Rascon Photography in Chicago, IL about his studio.

How did you get into the photography business?
The first wedding I photographed was my dad’s, which was about five years ago. However, I had been taking pictures for fun and photographing my family for years. I really started learning how to use the camera after my dad asked me to photograph his wedding in Mexico. After shooting his wedding, I began feeling that photography was something special that I enjoyed doing and that could make other people happy. So, I decided to pursue it full time.

Otto Rascon

When did you start shooting?
There has been a camera in my hand since high school, but I officially started my business about three years ago.

How would you describe your style?
I would say that my style is more of a mix of the classical/traditional approach with a little bit of photojournalism. It’s kind of an infusion of different approaches with elements of traditional lighting and posing.

Do you have any influences?
David Ziser has been very influential for me. I actually was able to meet him this year, which was an incredible experience. I really enjoy his sense of lighting and composition. It makes his brides and grooms look and feel important. I really like that.

What do you love to shoot?
I love shooting weddings and family portraits. Ideally, I’d like to be known as a family photographer: shoot a client’s wedding, maternity portraits, baby portraits, and then family portraits.

What gear do you use?
I use all Nikon gear. I shoot with D700 and D300 bodies and I use three lenses: the 80-200mm f/2.8, a 50mm f/1.4, and a wide angle 12-24mm f/4 lens.

Do you have a favorite lens?
I would have to say my favorite lens is my 50mm f/1.4. I love the result I get when I shoot the lens at f/2.0. I get that great limited depth of field that allows me to focus on a single area of the frame, while making everything else blur out.

In terms of your style and what you shoot, what inspires you?
I get inspiration from various sources. I graduated from the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago with a degree in graphic design. In school, I was heavily influenced by the artists of the Renaissance and ancient Greek statues. I also find inspiration from other shooters that have more experience than I do, such as David Ziser, Joe McNally, and Zack Arias. The meaning of family and the closeness of family also inspire me. For weddings, I try to shoot with the bride’s future in mind. I think about what the bride will appreciate 20-30 years from now, not just what she will love right now. I’m inspired to shoot for what bride will like down the line – something that is timeless.

Do you use Facebook or other social networking sites?
I do use Facebook and Twitter. It helps me to get the word out when I shoot events and more importantly, lets people know that I exist. After a wedding, I’ll get the slideshow up by Monday, upload photos to Facebook and tag each person in the photos.

Have you found that Facebook has benefited your business?
Definitely. Facebook is a strong lead generator for my studio and creates some buzz.

What is your favorite part of the wedding day and why?
I really like the moments when the bride and groom are getting ready. They are usually so nervous, which allows me to calm them down and let them know it’s going to be okay. It’s exciting for me too because I don’t know what the day is going to be like. I used to dread these moments because I didn’t know how things were going to turn out, but I see it as a challenge now. It’s become very rewarding for me.

Do you have a favorite venue or location where you love to shoot?
The Morton Arboretum in Lisle Illinois is a beautiful place to shoot because it provides gorgeous backgrounds. I recently shot a wedding at the University Club in Chicago, which was an absolutely breathtaking venue.

What was the best business decision you’ve made this year?
It would be attending a workshop taught by Dane Sanders. Attending the workshop helped me learn about what kind of business I want to run. It helped me learn more about how to run a successful studio and market myself, instead of how to shoot.

Do you ever run promotions or specials for your clients?
I haven’t run an official promotion yet, but I love to surprise my clients with a gift when they’re not expecting it. I’ll typically send clients an additional print in their package that they didn’t order, which they see as a gift from me.

When people leave your studio, what impression do you want them to leave with?
I want my clients to feel that I took care of them and that I was able to fulfill my promises without them having to worry about their day. It’s important for them to feel that they are being taken care of and satisfied with their experience.

What is your favorite Collages.net product or service and why?
The flush mount albums are my favorite. They are so beautiful and when my clients see them, they are wowed by them. I recently delivered a 60 page album to one of my clients, which she loved. It’s so nice to give my client a great product that is stored and packaged so nicely.

We would like to thank Otto for sharing this information about his studio! Let us know who you would like us to interview by contacting customerservice@collages.net. Who knows, you could be next.

Claim your vanity URL before it’s too late. As you may have noticed, Collages.net recently overhauled your Administrative Area’s Marketing Manager tab, which features an updated View an Event Portal with the option of a personalized URL. We couldn’t be more excited about this exciting new update!

You may be asking what the View an Event Portal is an why it is such a big deal. I’ll tell you! The View an Event Portal is a website that displays your event sites and allows your clients to log in to their event directly from y our studio website or blog. This means that you can pull more traffic to your studio website or blog. Picture this: hundreds of event guests or family and friends of the senior or family shoot you photographed, all visiting your studio’s site. Good picture, right? This can be a reality. There’s more, too!

These pages are now completely customizable. Add your studio logo as a header, create a greeting or generic message to your clients, and modify the background by uploading an image or choosing a background color to match your studio’s style. You can personalize your View an Event Portal using graphics and colors that match your studio website or blog to create a seamless transition.

Claim your name now! If your studio’s name is commonly used, make sure to customize your View an Event Portal’s URL before it’s unavailable. Log in by visiting this page and claim your name. Under the Site Address section, type in your studio’s unique URL. Customizing your URL gives clients an easy way to remember how to view their photos.

The View an Event Portal has never looked better because you are the designer! We are so excited about this feature that we will be giving away one free year of online posting to the photographer who is voted to have the best View an Event Portal by their colleagues! Check out our Facebook fan page during the next few days for more details.

This week’s websites of the week come from Candid Expressions and Hadar Goren Photography.

Jette Fagela of Candid Expressions shot the Heavey family’s portraits in their backyard in Kennesaw, GA. Jette recalls, “Marianna and Robert kept mentioning that they needed family photos, but they have been too busy to set a date. When they finally contacted me for a date, I was super excited! They are all so beautiful! The children were very comfortable being photographed and it definitely made my job so much easier. I had a great time.”

Hadar Goren of Hadar Goren Photography, Inc. shot Cindy and Tim’s wedding at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington, VA. Hadar recalls, “The 14th floor reception had a stunning view of Washington, DC and the Potomac River. We started our day by photographing Cindy getting ready about five hours before the ceremony in order to have some time for some fun bride and groom portraits around Washington, DC.”

To view the complete events, visit our websites of the week page.

We recently interviewed a member of our production team, Liz Halvorsen. Liz specializes in Collages.net’s Albums and Gallery Wraps and is also a member of our design team.

Tell me about your background in photography.
I fell in love with photography when I was a kid. I inherited my dad’s Canon AT-1 at an early age and taught myself how to shoot. In high school, I took classes in photography and then went to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where I earned my BFA in photography. After school I started my career at Berry & Homer in Philadelphia, where I worked for about three years.

How long have you been on the Collages.net team?
I have been with Collages.net for almost three years. When I first started working at Collages.net, I like all employees was in the customer service department where I was responsible for a lot of product research and development. At that time, Collages.net was just starting up our product line. My first  project was to help create the gallery wrap product line. Design was my ultimate goal and passion. I love the $1 an image album design and from the feedback I get from studios, photographers and their clients are loving it too.

What do you love most about your job?
Every day, I get to use my creativity; I love the creative freedom I have at Collages.net. My favorite projects are level three designs, where I use flourishes and other design elements to make a truly personalized album or book. I also love my teammates. I work with a terrific bunch of talented girls. We learn a lot from one another.

What is your favorite Collages.net product and why?
Do I have to pick one? I would say the high gloss finish books and albums are my favorite. High gloss finish books are excellent in quality and price. I love the paper stock we use for these books since they remind me of the glossy children’s books I would read as a kid. Albums are another favorite product of mine. The print quality is amazing and the Premium leather choices are absolutely yummy. Plus, we offer a wide variety of hot colors! I may be a little bias because the album line is my baby. It’s the primary line that I manage.

What would you pick for your sample album cover?
Green Premium leather albums are my absolute favorite.

What question do photographers ask you the most?
Since I work with gallery wraps, customers always ask me how to set up bleed for their gallery wrap orders. A lot of our photographers also have questions about our album trim lines.

What are you listening to on your iPod right now?
It really depends on my mood! For a rainy day like today, I like to listen to slow music like Massive Attack, NearLY, and Death Cab for Cutie. When I need to meet a deadline, I pump myself up with 70s, 80s, and 90s punk: The Casualties, The Ramones, and Bikini Kill.

How would you describe your design style?
For my work at Collages.net, I like to keep a very clean and modern design style. For my personal work, I have a grungy style and love adding textures to my images.

Where do you find design inspiration?
Inspiration comes from the images. I wasn’t at the event, so I rely on the images and the photographers descriptions to create a design that is perfect for the clients. My shooting inspiration comes from shapes, negative space, and lighting.

If you had to eat candy bars for the rest of your life, what kind would you choose?
It’s hard to say, but Take 5 and Kit Kats are two of my favorites!

What was the last book you read?
Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith. It’s an interesting, fictional book about life in Stalinist Russia. I was disappointed with the ending though.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
On the top of my list is Ireland, but I’d also love to see Scotland, Denmark, Russia, and the Netherlands.

Is Elvis really dead?
Yes. Why would anyone even question that?

I’d like to thank Liz for taking a time out to talk with me. If anyone has questions for Liz, give a shout out by leaving a comment below and we’ll get an answer.